Udupi, August 15, 2025 – During the 79th Independence Day celebrations at Mahatma Gandhi District Stadium in Ajjarkad, Udupi, Minister for Women and Child Development and Udupi District In-Charge, Laxmi Hebbalkar, hoisted the national flag and received a guard of honor. In her address, she described Karnataka as a “garden of peace for all communities,” stressing equality for all religions under the Constitution and the state’s commitment to these values.
Hebbalkar highlighted Karnataka’s economic achievements for 2024-25, noting the state’s highest per capita income in India and second-rank position in GST collection, reflecting a robust economy. The state topped the Central Panchayat Raj Ministry’s decentralization index, showcasing effective governance. She emphasized initiatives to boost industrialization, job creation, and infrastructure, including investor summits and policy reforms, positioning Karnataka as a leader in science, technology, IT-BT, and startups.
The minister outlined efforts to combat Naxalism through stringent legal measures and praised Karnataka’s sportspersons for their national and international achievements. Community policing has been strengthened with the “Police to Every Home” program for responsive grievance redressal. The Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board launched 100 high-tech mobile health units costing ₹129 crore to provide healthcare at worksites.
Social welfare initiatives include direct benefit transfers (DBT) for 82.57 lakh pension beneficiaries via Aadhaar-linked accounts. The Gruha Lakshmi scheme has disbursed ₹47,400 crore to 1.23 crore beneficiaries statewide, including ₹870.83 crore to 2.25 lakh beneficiaries in Udupi. Disaster relief measures include ₹114 crore for flood-related damages and ₹30 crore for permanent landslide prevention walls. Land records are being digitized for transparency, and free land document services are provided to farmers under the “Nanna Bhoomi Nanna Darkhasu” campaign.
In fisheries development, significant infrastructure projects are underway: ₹85 crore for Maravanthe port expansion, ₹180.84 crore for Hejamadi Kodi fishery harbor development, ₹78.28 crore for Hangarkatte coastal berth construction, ₹95.88 crore for Gangolli coastal berth construction, and ₹22.18 crore for Gangolli fish harbor upgradation. Additionally, ₹4.5 crore is allocated for 10 sea erosion prevention walls. Last year, 91,954 kiloliters of tax-exempt diesel and 636.36 kiloliters of subsidized kerosene were distributed to 9,328 fishing boats.
Four Indira Canteens operate in Udupi, with two new ones launched in Byndoor and Kapu in June 2025. Tourism and industrial growth are prioritized, with 1,207.34 acres identified for new industrial zones in Shivapura, Kerebettu, Nitte, Uppooru, Santhuru, and Yellur. The Koraga community received ₹4.5 lakh housing aid and nutritional support. Social welfare hostels accommodate 7,008 students, providing free food and lodging.
The minister noted that the five guarantee schemes have empowered citizens to live with dignity, reducing financial hardships. A special task force addresses communal violence in Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Shivamogga. Udupi City Municipality’s proposal to upgrade to a municipal corporation is under review. Health initiatives include the Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti scheme for heart attack prevention and mandatory annual health checkups for schoolchildren. Additionally, 10,000 anganwadis have been identified to start LKG and UKG classes, with 4,000 to 5,000 commencing soon.
The event was attended by MLA Yash Pal Suvarna, Udupi Urban Development Authority Chairman Dinakar Heruru, District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee Chairman Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa T.K., Zilla Panchayat CEO Prateek Bayal, SP Hariram Shankar, Additional DC Abhid Gadyal, various officials, and schoolchildren.
